Webcast and Miss Photogenic information for Miss Teen USA!

Your vote is needed for Miss Teen USA Pageant!!!

Before Shelby leaves for the Bahamas, we wanted to remind you of the upcoming Miss Teen USA Pageant and live web cast from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on July 24, 2010. You can see Shelby and all the contestants because the finals for this year's Pageant will be web cast live at www.missteenusa.com and also at www.seventeen.com at 8:00 pm EST. You can also follow Shelby during the week at the Miss Teen USA "Quick Links" page that we have set up on our website. Just go to www.pageantassociates.com, click on "Vermont" and then the "Miss Teen USA Quick Links" button.

Also, People’s Choice and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) are empowering fans to choose the next Miss Photogenic Teen USA® winner at the upcoming Miss Teen USA® pageant through an on line vote at the People’s Choice official website, www.PeoplesChoice.com. The winner of the on line vote will receive the People’s Choice Miss Photogenic Teen USA® Award, an official crystal People’s Choice Award trophy, on-stage at Atlantis, Paradise Island in The Bahamas during the 2010 Miss Teen USA® pageant on July 24. Voting for Miss Photogenic will take place on PeoplesChoice.com until 12:01 AM on July 24, 2010. You do not have to log in or create an account and you can vote as many times as you like!

A huge congratulations to Nydelis Ortiz, Miss Vermont USA 2010, on a job well done at the national Miss USA Pageant! Nydelis represented Vermont beautifully in Las Vegas. She will continue to travel throughout the Vermont making appearances as Miss Vermont USA.

Don't forget to mark your calendars! The Miss Vermont USA and Miss Vermont Teen USA Pageants will take place November 6 & 7, 2010 at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. Your "peeps" can find a link on our website to receive the special "Family and Friends" room rate for your Pageant weekend at the Sheraton.

Getting Ready to head off to Miss Teen USA!

Hey everyone!

I am leaving in 2 days for the Bahamas and I am as excited as ever! I finally have all of my wardrobe, and it is PERFECT! I can't wait to get on stage and show everyone what Vermont is made of! I promise to do my best while I am at Miss Teen USA, and swear to make Vermont proud. We have a lot to offer here, and I am excited to show everyone that just because I stem from a small state, doesn't mean they should count me out. I have spent this year working hard to prepare, and I have a lot of people to thank for my success. I have many sponsors to thank, because without them, I would NEVER have made it this far in my journey.

I want to send out huge thanks and big hugs to:

The Clemente Family & All of the incredible Pageant Staff
My sister Queens! (I love you all!)
The Crowning Touch for my incredible gown and wardrobe
Katie Boyd from the Miss Fit Club
Neil Gannon and La Tete Salon
Dr. Meola
Dr. Koch
Angie Scott
Jerome the Florist
Jan Ruta Electric
Vermont Country Campers
Beltrami's
Ben from Benizo
Mom, Dad, and Logan!
Family & Friends


And to all of my supporters who have stuck with me every step of the way: Thank you for believing me and pushing me toward my goal. Without you all, I may never have gotten to this point.

Fourth of July Festivities

For the Fourth of July, I went to Massachusetts to do an appearance with my sister Queens from the Clemente Family. We had the privilege of attending a Coast Guard BBQ that was held in Boston, and it was a blast! We met sailors from around the country, and signed autographs for children who were at the event. I spent the day meeting new people and it was a great way to spend the holiday. The most fun part of the day was when I sumo wrestled with Brooke (MA Teen). We got in huge padded suits and wrestled each other, but every time we fell over, we had to have help back up because the suits were so big we were flailing on the ground and couldn't get back up! We, along with the entire audience, had some great laughs during that! I am proud to say that I was merciless, and beat Brooke! One of my favorite memories from this appearance was meeting a little red headed girl with freckles who was so shy that her mother had to push her toward me to get an autograph. When she finally made her way over to me, her mother said " See look, she has freckles and red hair too! See, you're beautiful too!" When I asked the little girl if she liked being a red head she said that she didn't because she didn't look like anyone else. Thinking back to my childhood, I know the exact feeling this little girl was talking about because I was always trying to look like my friends even though there was so disguising my identity. As I was signing the autograph for her I told her that it didn't seem like it now, but when she grew up, she would appreciate her unique look. I remember distinctly what I wrote on her card..." Never let that beautiful red hair, and face full of freckles hold you back." I hope she takes my advice and realizes that just because girls like us look different, it doesn't make us less beautiful. In a way I feeI like I represent all those " misfits" out there that don't really fit into a normal mold when it comes to beauty. It's important to me to show people that beauty isn't some cookie cutter that you will find. Beauty is what you make it, and I feel like my uniqueness is what makes me who I am.

I think this was the perfect place to spend the Fourth, because I was surrounded by people who fight to give me the independence that I have. Looking around the Coast Guard Base was a constant reminder that there are people fighting day in and day out to protect our liberties, and I was so honored to spend Independence Day truly observing the holiday for its original purpose. I wouldn't have it any other way!

My most recent trip to Massachusetts

Last week I spent 3 days at Brooke's (Miss MA Teen USA) house. I went to celebrate her send-off with her and we had a spectacular time! Many people from our pageant family came to support Brooke, and I was excited to have the chance to catch up with everyone since they all live in Massachusetts. We shared stories and laughed pretty much the entire night!

One of the best things that I will walk away from this year with is a new best friend. Brooke and I were a match made in heaven from day one, and I absolutely love her. We always have so much fun together. It has been nice to have someone to talk to this year who truly understands exactly what I am going through. I know that when our titles are passed, we will still remain friends, and for that I am truly thankful.

Prom

Hey Everyone!

I though it might be nice to start sharing some of my experiences that aren't pageant related for a change. As many of you know, I was a senior this year, so this of course means I attended senior prom! Staying true to our Vermont roots, my senior class decided to hold prom in a barn. It was very rustic, but beyond fun! We had a great DJ, and spent the night dancing. It was by far, the best high school dance I attended! I hope you enjoy the photos!

Essex Memorial Day Parade

In May, Nydelis and I made an appearance in the Essex Memorial Day Parade and had such a good time! We rode in a convertible during the parade, and spent our time waving to everyone who had lined the streets to watch the parade. I am always amazed at how many little kids love to see "princesses!," and think Nydelis and I are just the cats meow. I always get a kick out of it, but it also touches my heart. It makes me feel great to see little girls (and sometimes boys too!) who look up to me. I try to live my life in a way that when the crown comes off, these little guys will still look up to me. This year has been full of many fun appearances, and this parade was just another one to add to a great year!

My Photo Shoot in Las Vegas

While on my trip to Las Vegas to Miss USA, I had the great opportunity to do a photo shoot with photographer, Ben Urcuyo. I had gorgeous hair and makeup done and was amazed at how great it came out. My shoot was a grueling 5 hours long, but let me tell you, I had a blast! Ben had an incredible energy and a desire to catch the perfect shot. I know he could have completed my shoot hours earlier, but was so impressed that he took the time to capture exactly what he was looking for. I loved the atmosphere of this photo shoot because it was high fashion and original. I was able to do some fun posing, and felt like a real model! I am excited to work with Ben again in the future! If you would like to see more of Ben's work check out Benizo.com!

So....I want to share some of my favorites! : )